Psychiatr News March 7, 2008
Volume 43, Number 5, page 28
© 2008 American Psychiatric Association
CPT Includes New Codes for Substance Abuse
New codes for substance abuse screening and brief intervention have been
included in the new Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) codes.
The two codes (99408 for interactions of 15-30 minutes, and 99409 for
interactions over 30 minutes) should streamline reporting and the
reimbursement procedures for physicians who perform alcohol or substance abuse
(other than tobacco) structured screening and brief intervention.
The new codes became effective on January 2.
"These new health care codes will strengthen the doctor-patient
relationship and incorporate a powerful preventive public health resource in
America's health care system," said Bertha Madras, M.D., deputy director
of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy, in a statement
announcing the new codes. "Doctors will now be able to assess their
patients' drug and alcohol use—as they already do for diabetes and
obesity—and work to prevent, reduce, and treat those with substance
abuse disorders.
"Widespread screening and brief interventions can effectively reduce
substance use disorders and their adverse effects on the human brain, body,
and behavior," Madras said. "Brief interventions are medically
reliable, cost-effective, and endure." 
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